The news stories never change. A bright young person takes their own life after suffering from cyber bullying. These kids are ranging from middle school on up into high school and even college. What is there to do? As social media becomes the trade of the future, parents and teachers need to be aware and assist the children as they mature into responsible adults.
One of the keys to protecting children is to improve communication. A child will tell a trusted adult what is happening in their life. If parents are aware of any cyber bullying, the school administrators need to be informed.
Secondly, advising children through the maturing years on their self worth and building confidence goes a long way. Cyber bullying targets children who seem weak, and sometimes feel like they have no self worth. Let children know not to let anyone take away their self worth.
Thirdly, getting away from social media for awhile can be seen as therapeutic. With everything on Facebook or MySpace nowadays, people find their “number of friends” to equal their importance. Taking a break away from what is torturing you can do wonders.
If your child is involved in Facebook, parents need to be on the site as well and monitor what is going on. Being involved in all activities is the number one powerful message children understand in the relationship and it won’t be broken. Read all text messages and talk to your kids constantly.
Helping your children through play acting is helpful. Teaching children to be assertive is key. If someone is bullying them, teach them to say, “I don’t appreciate that, and if you keep doing it, I will call the police and report you to the police department.” If kids keep internalizing the emotional and psychological abuse in cyber bullying, then it will explode in the worst way.
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